Yesterday morning, I had a wonderful surprise when an American beaver surfaced close to the Sandy Creek Bridge at Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge.

American Beaver and a stick after leaving a creek, Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge, OklahomaAmerican Beaver and a stick after leaving a creek – Nikon D500, f9, 1/400, ISO 640, -1.0EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I was even more delighted when the beaver climbed onto the shore on the west side of the creek. This allowed me to take several portraits of the furry creature as it looked around.

The stick in front of the beaver was on its back when it walked onto the creek bank. The stick made me giggle a bit because it looked a bit odd.

Adult American Beaver next to Sandy Creek at Tishomingo NWR, Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge, OklahomaAdult American Beaver next to Sandy Creek at Tishomingo NWR – Nikon D500, f9, 1/400, ISO 640, -1.0EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I enjoy taking portraits of my subjects whenever I can, without disturbing them. This beaver didn’t appear to be disturbed by my presence in the least.

American Beaver looking up towards the sky, Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge, OklahomaAmerican Beaver looking up towards the sky – Nikon D500, f9, 1/400, ISO 640, -1.0EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

In fact, the beaver simply ignored me and went about its business of being a beaver. I don’t know why the beaver looked up at the sky, but it gave me a unique pose to add to my galleries.

American Beaver walking back to Sandy Creek at Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge, OklahomaAmerican Beaver walking back to Sandy Creek at Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge – Nikon D500, f9, 1/200, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Before long, the American Beaver walked back to the creek and slipped into the cool-looking water. I was thrilled to have had this creature in my viewfinder.

The creek, and all the water on the refuge, is high again from all the recent storms we have had here in south-central Oklahoma.

Tree tunnel at Tishomingo NWR, Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge, Johnston County, OklahomaTree tunnel at Tishomingo NWR – Nikon D810, f10, 1/640, ISO 500, -1.0 EV, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 150mm, natural light

I also wanted to share this bonus landscape photo from one of the locations on the refuge. The tunnel of trees looked beautiful, and I briefly felt cooler because of the shade provided by the trees overhead. What’s not to like about that on a warm morning?

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my mammal photos plus facts and information about them in my galleries.